Organisers of Michael Jackson’s public memorial have announced that British fans will be able to apply for tickets.

The clamour for tickets for the event in Los Angeles began as soon as details of how to register for the ballot were revealed.

Video grab image courtesy of AEG Live of Michael Jackson rehearsing on June 23

British fans were disappointed to read on the Staples Centre website that only US residents could apply for a chance of securing a ticket but a spokesman for the memorial’s organiser later said: “British fans can register for the memorial.”

Other fans of the King of Pop will be able to watch Tuesday’s event from their homes as organisers announced it will be broadcast around the world.

The stadium’s website temporarily crashed within moments of AEG Live president and chief executive Tim Leiweke announcing the opening of registration for the draw.

He said 17,500 free tickets will be available in pairs for Jackson’s fans – 11,000 of which will admit entrance to the Staples Centre itself with 6,500 places to watch on screens at the nearby Nokia theatre.

Registration will end at 6pm on Saturday evening (2am Sunday morning BST), with the 8,750 successful applicants drawn at random and then notified by email between 11am and 8pm on Sunday (7pm Sunday to 4am Monday BST).

Mr Leiweke said: “First off, our thoughts and our prayers are with the family, all of the Jackson family, and in particular with Michael Jackson’s fans.

“It is the family’s wish to create a service and a celebration that all of Michael’s fans around the world can be part of.”